Award

SFO/GenCoun/AVE1/25

SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

10 Feb 2026 at 10:40

Award

06 Feb 2026 at 12:25

Summary of the contracting process

The Serious Fraud Office, a central government public authority in London, has completed a direct award contract for expert support services, specifically legal services, through the tender titled "SFO/GenCoun/AVE1/25." The procurement process fell under the services category and involved a contract valued up to £650,000—a figure exclusive of VAT. Originating due to an insufficiency of suitable candidates within existing CCS frameworks and urgency of need, the procurement was completed following an off-framework evaluation. The contract commenced on 10th February 2026 and is initially set to end on 31st March 2026, with an optional extension available. The supplier, London-based Accounting Valuation Experts LLP, will deliver services during this period at the instruction of the Serious Fraud Office, with remuneration based on hourly rates.

This opportunity facilitates potential collaboration within the legal and financial sectors, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that offer services related to accounting and forensic analysis. Businesses focusing on providing expert witness services and those able to deliver specialist consultancy under urgent requirements are well-suited for such contracts. The assessment by the Serious Fraud Office underscores the importance of expertise, conflict management, availability, and cost-effectiveness, offering a strong impetus for businesses keen to expand their footprint by engaging in public sector contracts.

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Notice Title

SFO/GenCoun/AVE1/25

Notice Description

The contract is for the provision of expert support services to the Serious Fraud Office. The maximum value of the contract is PS650,000 (not including VAT). The services are to be supplied at the instruction of the SFO and charges are to be based on hourly rates. The final spend on the contract will depend on how much work the SFO gives to the supplier, but it cannot exceed the maximum value. Due to an oversight the publication for this notification has been delayed. The contract was awarded and began on 22nd October 2025.

Procurement Information

SFO assessed CCS frameworks for relevant expertise but were unable to find any. In the context of urgency SFO undertook an off-framework assessment of the available persons with relevant expertise, addressing the question of conflicts, availability, and cost. SFO subsequently awarded a contact to the expert who offered best value for money.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0649fe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011695-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Feb 202512 months ago
Contract Period
10 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial@sfo.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1Y 5BS
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ACCOUNTING VALUATION EXPERTS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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